after the sandy hook elementary tragedy, president obama said the nation needs to change. yesterday, he outlined what he's going to do and what he'll push congress to do to prevent future gun violence. the tragic deaths of 20 schoolchildren at sandy hook elementary made america pause and reconsider its relationship with guns. and with children who had written him letters about gun violence, president obama announced the most sweeping push for gun control in decades. >> this is our first task as a society, keeping our children safe. >> reporter: 11-year-old julia stokes wrote to the president. the only person she thought could make a difference. >> she said, i know that laws have to be passed by congress, but i beg you to try very hard. julia, i will try very hard. >> reporter: he's going to have to. the president is up against a congress that's very reluctant to pass comprehensive gun control. to get the ball rolling, mr. obama signed 23 executive actions that don't need approval by lawmakers. they include -- strengthening the national criminal background check system and